AROUND TOWN - Sept. 19, 2008

Clean up the coast on Saturday at beaches

Volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at local beaches to help with California Coastal Cleanup Day.

The Clean Water Now! Coalition will host cleanup activities at five sites throughout Laguna Beach in cooperation with the California Coastal Commission:

 Crescent Bay (North Laguna);

  Main Beach (headquarters);

 Oak Street;

 Treasure Island (below Montage Resort & Spa); and

 lower Aliso Creek.

All sites will have the appropriate bags, gloves, tide pool brochures, plus other educational literature.

Community service hours for youth are granted and site leaders will assist volunteers.

A very high tide (5.2 feet) will come in at 11:30 a.m., so early birds are welcome. Volunteers are also needed to clean the 3.5 miles of coastline at Crystal Cove State Park. Volunteers should meet at Pelican Point lot #4 or Reef Point. The parking fee is waived for those entering the park between 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. to join the volunteer event.

For more information on beach cleanup programs, visit www.cleanwaternow.com

Citywide alert system moves forward

Laguna Beach city officials will work with the county to coordinate and provide emergency mass notification services in the city under a program approved Sept. 2 by the council.

The intent of the program, known as ALERT-OC, is to disseminate early warning and time-sensitive information to businesses and residents of an emergency.

Gallery owner Murray to judge ‘green’ award

Laguna Beach resident and Endangered Planet Gallery owner Charles Michael Murray is among a panel of Orange County’s brightest “green” minds brought together to judge the second-annual Toshiba Green Innovations Awards on Oct. 1.

The deadline date for entry has now been extended to today. Winners will be announced in conjunction with the Innovation and Globalization in Green conference on Oct. 1.

The annual contest awards prizes for the best “green” products, services, technologies, processes, programs or activities from Orange County businesses, educators, institutions and organizations.

Judges will decide which submissions for the Toshiba Green Innovation Award will become finalists by ranking them in two categories: environmental value and degree of innovation.

The judges were chosen based on their range of backgrounds, which includes business, art, academia and the environment.

Public hearing on water rates set for Oct. 28

A public hearing to consider the adoption of water rates for fiscal year 2008-09 of the Laguna Beach County Water District will be held at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Laguna Beach County Water District Office, 306 Third St., Laguna Beach.

For more information, contact the District at (949) 494-1041.

Laguna Beach Library hosts bridal book author

The Laguna Beach Library will host Rev. Marcy Ann Cheek, author of “Seventeen Things To Do While Waiting for Mr. Right: The Single Girl’s Handbook for the 21st Century Bride-To-Be” at 6 p.m. Sept. 24.

Cheek will discuss and sign her new book, full of wedding stories and tips.

Laguna Beach Library is at 363 Glenneyre St., Laguna Beach. For more information, call (949) 497-1733.